Sports pole wrist strap system

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the present invention, a unique single attachment point wrist strap system is provided that allows for easy entry and exit of the wrist strap loop using one hand. The strap system is comprised of a single generally rectangular flat strap having both ends placed together and attached within a recessed channel in proximity to the top of the handle. Before the ends are attached one end is twisted 180 degrees from the other. The strap system is universal in that it is configured for use by either hand.

BACKGROUND

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts

Field of the Invention

The present device relates in general to utilitarian wrist straps forsports poles and the like and more particularly to a wrist strap systemproviding particular utility in entry and exit of the wrist strap by auser's hand.

Prior Art

Prior art wrist straps for sports poles and the like have beeninadequate because of the difficulty in entry and exit of the wriststrap loop, most wrist straps intended to be entered and adjusted usingboth hands. Typically, the sports pole wrist strap hangs looselydownwardly over the pole handle and presents a relaxed loop thatrequires the use of both hands for entry or exit of the loop, one handto open the loop while the other hand is thrust through or removed fromthe opened loop. The requirement for both hands to be involved in entryand exit of the wrist strap presents a burden with repeated entry andexit of the strap, especially when the user is wearing gloves, mittens,or the like.

A wrist strap system for a ski pole is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,386,588 issued to Young, et al. on May 14, 2002. The system of Young,et al discloses a buckled strap with single point attachment to the topof the ski pole handle, the handle including a spreader mechanism toincrease the loop opening of the strap. However, neither Young, et al.nor other known methods disclose the features of the applicant'sinvention wherein only one hand is required for entry and exit of thewrist strap. It is an object of the present invention to provide asingle attachment point wrist strap system providing utility in entryand exit of the wrist strap by a user's hand, with or without gloves,mittens, or the like. Other aspects, features and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a reading of the specification, whentaken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numeralsrefer to like elements in the several views.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention, a unique single attachment point wriststrap system for a sports pole is provided that allows for easy entryand exit of the wrist strap loop using a single hand. The strap systemis comprised of a single generally rectangular flat strap with both endsplaced together and attached within a recessed channel in proximity tothe top of the handle of the sports pole. Before the ends are attachedone end is twisted 180 degrees from the other. The handle provides foreasy removal and replacement of the strap thereby allowing forinterchangeability for repair or design change as may be required ordesired by the user. The configuration of the strap and method ofattachment to the sports pole handle establishes and maintains anenlarged loop for easy transit of the wrist strap by the use of onehand. The wrist strap system is universal in that it is configured foruse by either hand of the user.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical prior art ski pole handle and wrist straparrangement having a single point attachment of the strap in theproximity of the top of the pole handle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ski pole handle and wrist strapsystem of the invention illustrating horizontal single point attachmentof the strap to the pole handle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the system of FIG. 2 illustratinghorizontal attachment of the strap to the ski pole handle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating vertical single pointattachment of the strap to the ski pole handle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 3 indicating theaddition of a loop spreading member to the wrist strap system inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 5 showing addition ofan alternate loop spreading member to the wrist strap;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 6 indicating inphantom the method of loop entry of a gloved hand for grasping the polehandle;

FIG. 8 is a length-wise sectional view of the spreading member of FIG. 2taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is a length-wise sectional view of the spreading member of FIG. 6taken along the lines 9-9 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that even though a ski pole wrist strap isindicated and described herein, the teachings of the present inventionapply equally well to other sports pole devices, such as walking sticks,that would benefit from the use of the wrist strap system.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a prior art skipole and wrist strap system, generally designated 10, with single pointattachment of the strap 11 in proximity to the top of the handle 12.Strap 11 is shown including open and closure means 11 b in the form of abuckle although the strap 11 often is of one piece. Open and closuremeans 11 b permits the strap 11 a to be opened as necessary to accept ahand (not shown) and then closed around the wrist. (not shown) of theuser. As seen, strap 11 is folded with the ends brought together withouttwisting and then inserted into the vertical slot 12 a of handle 12. Asarranged, the wrist strap 11 hangs loosely downwardly over the handle 12which results in a shallow loop, generally designated 13. Further,because of the extra weight of the open and closure means 11 b, the loop13 becomes even shallower. The shallow loop 13 makes it necessary to useboth hands to effect entry and exit of a hand through the loop 13 tograsp the handle 12, and if a glove is worn, transiting the loop becomeseven more difficult. Also, with the requirement for use of both hands toopen the loop 13 there is a tendency for the skier to improperly effectentry of the loop 13 by inserting the hand downwardly from the top andthen grasping the handle 12, the proper entry procedure being to enterthrough the loop 13 from the bottom upwardly and then to grasp thehandle 12 with a portion of the wrist strap 11 pressed against thehandle 12.

FIGS. 2-9 illustrate the sports pole wrist strap system, generallydesignated 20, as applied to a ski pole in accordance with the presentinvention, wherein only one hand of the user is required for transit ofthe wrist strap 21. FIG. 2 illustrates the sports pole handle and wriststrap system 20 with the ends of strap 21 brought together and then oneend twisted 180 degrees, as indicated by numeral 21 b, before insertioninto the transverse, or horizontal, slot 22 a of handle 22, the slot 22a being located on the rearward side of the handle 22 away from thefinger grip of the handle 22. As seen, the bottom strap end is twisted180 degrees clockwise before insertion into the horizontal slot 22 a. Ifthe top strap is to be twisted, it is to be twisted 180 degreescounter-clockwise before insertion. The proper 180 degree twist 21 b ofstrap 21 operates to force strap 21 into forming and maintaining anexpanded loop, designated 23. Configured in this manner, loop 23 allowsproper transit (from below) of a user's hand, whether bare or covered,such as with a glove, without the necessity of using two hands. Theconfiguration is universal in that it is suitable for proper use byeither hand. Further, with the strap 21 twisted in accordance with theinvention and the handle 22 grasped as described, as discussed below thestrap 21 will lay unfurled flatly between the palm of the user and thehandle 22. Also as will be further discussed, the strap 21 may includeflexible stiffening means, herein designated 21 b, as an additional oralternate method to establish and maintain the expanded loop 23. Theends of the strap 21 are replaceably secured within the handle 22 in anysuitable manner; however, as indicated a screw 24 is inserted from thetop of handle 22 as will be explained. The strap 21 can be formed ofcloth or other suitable material.

FIG. 3 illustrates, in an exploded view of the system 20 of FIG. 2, thesingle point attachment of the twisted strap 21 in proximity to the topof ski pole handle 22. The twisted strap 21 is shown with first andsecond ends having grommets 26 a, 26 b, respectively (grommet 26 a shownand grommet 26 b indicated), which are aligned within slot 22 a toreceive screw, or other appropriate means, 24. As indicated, screw 24 isinserted through threaded hole 25, grommets 26 a, 26 b, and into thehandle 22. Screw 24 can be easily removed to allow removal of the strap21 for repair or design change as may be required or as desired by theuser. It is understood that other appropriate means, such as a removablepin, may be used to releasably attach strap 21 to handle 22 inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates in a perspective view, another arrangement inaccordance with the invention, generally designated 40. In thisarrangement, twisted strap 21 is reoriented 90 degrees from what isshown in FIG. 3, and as indicated inserted into an inline, or vertical,slot 22 b, slot 22 b located in proximity to the top of handle 22 a, andon the side of handle 22 a away from the finger grip of handle 22 a. Asindicated, screw 24 is inserted horizontally through hole 25 a andgrommets 26 a, 26 b and then into the handle 22 a. This arrangement alsoprovides for proper transit through the bottom of loop 23 to grasp thehandle 22 a. In this arrangement, in order to establish the propertwist, the strap ends are brought together vertically and then the endon the right is twisted clockwise 180 degrees before insertion intovertical slot 22 b. If the end on the left is to be twisted it should betwisted 180 degrees counter-clockwise.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the ski pole handle and wrist strap of FIG. 3with the addition of a resilient loop spreading member, generallydesignated 50, in accordance with the invention. Shown in FIG. 5 isresilient member 50 indicated as being added to the outside of strap 21.Member 50 is shown as a longitudinal spring 51 including end caps 51 aand cover 52. The member 50 attached to strap 21 as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates in perspective view the ski pole handle and wriststrap system of FIG. 6 indicating in phantom the proper method of looptransit (from bottom) of a gloved hand 70 for grasping the handle 22. Inthis manner the heel support for the gloved hand 70 is provided by theone point attachment looped strap 21 of the invention rather than by alower base member on an elongated handle as prevalent in many prior artdisclosures. As indicated the gloved hand is inserted through theenlarged loop 33 and the handle 22 then grasped with the strap 21 lyingunfurled flatly between the palm of the glove 70 and the handle 22.Thus, only one hand is used to properly grasp the handle 22 of the skipole. The one point attachment system of the invention is furtheradvantageous in that in the case of a fall the ski pole is free torotate without forcing a rotation of the skier's hand and wrist.Further, in a fall the one point attachment system of the inventionserves to effectively retain the ski pole to the skier's wrist. As seen,when properly grasped the resilient member 50 is positioned on theoutside of strap 21. The same is true when spreading member 21 b isused. Although not shown, the user may find it convenient to hold up thepole by the top of the strap 21 and then manually transit the loop 23with the other hand.

FIG. 8 illustrates in a longitudinal length-wise sectional view aflexible resilient loop spreader member 21 b taken along strap 21 asindicated by the lines 8-8 of FIG. 2. Member 21 b may be a strip 80 ofsilicone, or the equivalent, with a cloth cover 81.

FIG. 9 illustrates in a longitudinal length-wise sectional view aflexible resilient loop spreader member 50, taken longitudinally asindicated by the lines 9-9 of FIG. 6. Loop spreader member 50 is shownas a spring 51 with end caps 51 a and a cloth cover 52.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon whichthis disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for thedesigning of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present invention. It is not intended to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, the foregoing considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention.

1. A sports pole wrist strap system, comprising: a sports pole having ahandle, said handle having a gripping surface with a top portion abovesaid gripping surface; a recessed slot located proximate said topportion on the side of said handle away from said gripping surface; agenerally flat strap having first and a second ends and inner and outersides; said first and second ends folded in an untwisted manner with theinner side of each end brought together; and one of said ends twisted180 degrees such that an outer side is brought together with an innerside to establish an expanded wrist strap loop arrangement, thisarrangement seated in said recessed slot to form a wrist strap loop fortransit by a user's hand; and said strap includes stiffening means atthe bottom of said loop for expanding and maintaining said loop.
 2. Thewrist strap system of claim 1 wherein said stiffening means is embeddedlongitudinally in said strap at the bottom of said loop for expandingand maintaining said loop.
 3. The wrist strap system of claim 1including means for removably capturing said ends when seated in saidhandle.
 4. The wrist strap system of claim 3 wherein said recessed slotis recessed in said handle transverse to the longitudinal center line ofsaid handle.
 4. The wrist strap system of claim 3 wherein said recessedslot is recessed in said handle transverse to the longitudinal centerline of said handle.
 5. The wrist strap system of claim 3 where saidrecessed slot is recessed in said handle in line with the longitudinalcenter line of said handle.
 6. The wrist strap system of claim 3 whereinsaid stiffener means is flexible and resilient.
 7. (canceled)
 8. Amethod providing for a wrist strap loop for a sports pole comprising:providing a sports pole having a handle with a gripping surface and atop portion; providing a recessed wrist strap mounting slot locatedproximate said top portion; providing a generally flat wrist straphaving first and second ends and inner and outer sides; said first andsecond ends folded in an untwisted manner with the inner side of eachend brought together and then one end twisted 180 degrees from the othersuch that an outer side is brought together with an inner side to form aloop configured for transit by a user's hand; and said ends insertedinto said slot and secured.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said wriststrap loop includes stiffener means embedded longitudinally in saidstrap for spreading said loop.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein saidstiffener means is flexible and resilient.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A sportspole wrist strap system, comprising: an elongated pole having a shaftand a handle, said handle having a gripping surface and a top portionextending above said gripping surface; a recessed wrist strap mountingslot located proximate said top on the side of said handle opposite tosaid gripping surface; a generally flat wrist strap having first and asecond ends and inner and outer sides; said first and second endsbrought together with a selected end twisted 180 degrees from the othersuch that an outer side is brought together with an inner side and thenseated in said slot to form a loop for transit by a user's hand.
 13. Thewrist strap system of claim 12 including a loop stiffener memberembedded longitudinally in said strap at the bottom of said loop forexpanding and maintaining said loop.
 14. The wrist strap system of claim13 wherein said stiffener member is flexible and resilient. 15.(canceled)
 16. The wrist strap system of claim 13 including capturemeans for securing said ends when seated in said handle.
 17. The wriststrap system of claim 16 wherein said capture means is selected toprovide convenient removal and replacement of said wrist strap forrepair or design change.
 18. The wrist strap system of claim 16 wheresaid recessed mounting slot is recessed in said handle transverse to thelongitudinal center line of said handle.
 19. The wrist strap system ofclaim 16 where said recessed mounting slot is recessed in said handle inline with the longitudinal center line of said handle.